The focus of this week’s prayer letter is on Spirit-filled generosity, and are written by Pastor Leslie.

9 Aug – Father, thank You for the example of Barnabas; he was so named because people saw in him the wonderful outworking of his spiritual gift, ‘a son of Encouragement or Consolation.’ It also says that ‘he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit & faith’ (Acts 11:24).

As well as being recognised as one of the most encouraging people in the church, he backed this up with godly character and a Spirit-filled life. Bless the encouragers in our church.

Thank You that there are also people who are seen to be good and full of Your Spirit, and faith – bless their example and witness to Christ. May their example encourage others to pursue such a higher life in Christ. Amen

10 Aug – Father, when people spoke with Barnabas they felt better for it, they felt encouraged, they felt as if they had just spoken with You! Romans 12:8 says, “If it, a person’s gift, is encouraging, let him encourage.”

May I be a parakaleo – ‘para,’ a preposition meaning “alongside of” & ‘kaleo,’  a verb meaning “to call” – “to call to one’s side.” Lord, if there is someone I can come alongside to do a good thing for, perhaps support, aid, assist or encourage – guide me to do this in a Christ-honouring way.

Today in particular, may I have a divine appointment in order to help someone in an area where he or she cannot help him or herself. I make myself available to You to guide and direct as You wish.

Help us in Telford Elim, in person and online, to further develop a framework which makes it possible for people to call others to come and encourage, help, support or assist. May we be a helping, encouraging, listening and prayer-filled church; may the gift of encouragement be a vital and well-functioning ministry within the Church. In Jesus’ name. Amen

11 Aug – Father, I know that there are seasons when Your Church can face times of intense opposition, even persecution. However, even in the midst of these terrible seasons – the Church can prosper and continue to experience Your favour, grace and provision.

There is nothing in this world which can match living under Your favour, moving under the direction of Your Spirit and word. Lord, I pray for more and more of Your grace and favour on our church in particular. Guide us to pray wisely and in the Spirit for our brothers and sisters who are facing opposition or even persecution. In Jesus’ name. Amen

12 Aug –  Thank You Holy Spirit that You are the ‘Community Spirit.’ In Acts 2:44-45, Luke wrote about the outcome of being a Spirit-filled Church including joy, praise, speaking in tongues, prophesy & power to enable amazing advances & Church growth.

Father, Your Spirit is revealed to be One who loves to draw people together to witness to the fullness of the life in Christ. I know that it was You who helped produce such togetherness – it was so complete that it affected how they dealt with members of the community of believers who were enduring financial hardship or were in need.

As the Community Spirit, Your Spirit produced a great community love between the believers; I would ask that You would fill our church to such an extent that it produces the same Spirit-inspired community love. In Jesus’ name. Amen

13 Aug – Today, Lord Jesus, You are Magnetic and Amazing. People are drawn to a church where Your presence is tangible and experienced – where Your favour is evident. A church obviously alive and vibrant through the Community Spirit’s overwhelming presence (cf. Acts 2:47+4:33b).

May our church become more and more like this revealing Your magnificence, saving power and glory. We pray that Your generosity will be revealed in how we minister, give and apply the biblical stewardship principles Your word contains. Amen

14 Aug – Father, thank You for God-given spiritual unity; not manmade organisational unity or uniformity. It is a wonderful blessing to be worshipping and serving with brothers and sisters of peace.

The church is a living organism imbued with the life of Your Spirit. When the Spirit is in the midst, a church can be largely united in its key doctrinal beliefs concerning the Bible. The nature of church, the nature of communion, and on what should be the prayer focus of the church is also important (cf. Acts 2:42).

We pray for more and more revelation and power from Your Spirit for Telford Elim Community Church, in person and online. In Jesus’ name. Amen

15 Aug – Lord Jesus, when I bring my offerings to give them to You, they are given because there is a compulsion to seek to give back to You, the One who has given so much to me – and to Your people.

Your honour, and the advance of Your Kingdom are two things that are worth sowing and investing my money, time and talents into. I have received so much grace from You. May it be the case, in our church, town and county, as MacDonald wrote, that ‘when hearts are aflame with love for Christ, they also kindle with love for one another;’ may we grow strong disciples who can make disciples, and grow numerically.

May generosity of spirit, encouragement, love, good disciple-making structures, and support be the hallmarks of our church. Break any poverty mindset that may linger among us, and release the resources of heaven to enable us to fulfil the ministry You call us to. Amen